ESPN analyst predicts: 'PSV will go into next season…'
1 min readThis season, PSV became the earliest-ever Eredivisie champion on 5 April and also finished with a nineteen-point lead over number 2 Feyenoord. This also made Peter Bosz’s team the champion with the largest points gap compared to number 2.
And all the while Feyenoord at the start of the season was still seen as a serious title contender and by some ''experts'' was even picked out as the national champions. Robin van Persie’s team started the season reasonably well, but after the home defeat against PSV (2-3) on 26 October 2025, things went downhill for the club from Rotterdam-Zuid.
ESPN analyst Hans Kraay jr. also saw that. Kraay hasn’t enjoyed this season of the Eredivisie and gives the season a final score of “only” 6.5.
This has according to the analyst also to do with the fact that Feyenoord, despite the mediocre play, 'simply' finished in second place. ''If Feyenoord can still become second after such an enormous dip, then those others really have dropped the ball. That’s actually very painful. I’m an optimist; in an ugly match I always still see something beautiful, but this has been at most a 6.5 league'', Kraay says in conversation with FCUpdate.
Where PSV, compared to last year, was cheerfully heading toward the national title, Kraay expects a different season 2026/2027. ''PSV is really not going to win next season with two fingers up'', the analyst is certain.
In Amsterdam, coach Oscar Garcia said that Ajax will become league champion next season, and Jordi Cruijff has also expressed to Kraay that he wants to seriously compete for the title next season. ''Jordi Cruijff has promised me: no excuses, no gap year. That’s not how the Cruijff family is built. He really said: 'we have to and will become champions.' Ajax supporters want to hear that, but Feyenoord supporters should want to hear it too. Then next season I’d gladly give the Eredivisie an 8.5'', Kraay concludes.
Comments12
No cap, if we keep starting slow, we are gonna waste our chances again. I want Luuk de Jong to get more involved in the buildup, not just wait for scraps in the box. Also, please tighten the transitions after losing possession, thats where it always leaks 🤬.
"PSV Inside" is right, the key is pressing triggers. When we jump on the second ball, the opponents look lost. But if we go passive for 10 minutes, it turns into a 50-50 💯.
Tbh I think the article is underplaying the defensive work. The back line looked shaky whenever the fullbacks got caught stepping up. Fix that and the whole game opens up, because the front end is dangerous enough 🚀.
If PSV want control, they need to get the ball to Xavi Simons faster, dont slow it down in midfield. Right now it feels like we carry it too long and then the press breaks us. Still, if the wing runs start earlier, this can get fire ⚽🔥.
Tbh I like how PSV are trying to play through pressure instead of lumping it. But we need more end product from the wide areas, anders blijft het vaak net te vlak. ⚽
"Our best version starts with control" is fair, but control without tempo is mid. I want more direct switches from the back to stretch defenders, thats how you force mistakes.
"PSV Inside" talks like we should trust the system already, but bruh im still not convinced about that defensive cover. If the fullbacks go forward again, we need midfielders to track like hawks. 🔥
I think the article is spot on about the midfield balance. Simons was moving well, maar without support you get those loose second balls. 💯
Thought the article nailed it: the fullbacks need to be higher, not just overlapping when the winger is already closed down. Get that right and suddenly we look dangerous in the box. 🚀⚽
Zieke quote about the pressing intensity... but is the timing there every match? When it works, its fire 🔥, when it doesnt, you end up running after the ball and letting counters happen.
If PSV go with that midfield shape again, i just worry the space between the lines will get punished. Gut feeling: Til or Veerman has to be braver with the first pass, otherwise its gonna be a long night.
De verdediging stond weer niet lekker in balans, vooral bij omschakelingen. Als PSV dit tempo niet kan dragen, ga je het tegen grotere teams echt voelen.👀